After its incorporation into the Evolutions Squadron in 1884, Almirante Barroso participated in instructional commissions and trips around the world, reinforcing the modernization of the Imperial Brazilian Navy.

However, the vessel faced a relatively tense moment during the fall of the Brazilian monarchy in 1889, when August Leopold, the Imperial Prince of Brazil, on board the ship during a circumnavigation trip, found himself involved in the political transition.

The launch event, which took place on 17 April 1882, was a celebration attended by emperor Pedro II, the Baron of Amazonas himself, state ministers, local authorities and a crowd of people.

The ship, of mixed construction, incorporating wood and steel, was a demonstration of the potential and ingenuity of the Brazilian naval industry and force at the time.

It was equipped with ships with the best technologies in terms of propulsion, artillery and torpedo systems, demonstrating Brazil's commitment to maintaining an effective naval force capable of adapting to changes in the geopolitical landscape.

During its speed experiments, the ship faced an obstacle when it ran aground on the Obuzes rocks due to the displacement of a signaling buoy.

However, it soon proved its navigation capabilities after receiving the order to "follow its destination", detaching itself from a division and sailing to several coastal locations, such as Abrolhos, Ilha Grande, Florianópolis and the region of Abraão, Santana and Angra dos Reis.

One of these commissions included stops in places such as Recife, Barbados, Jamaica, New Orleans and New York, demonstrating its ability to cross the Atlantic.

The year 1888 saw the ship being incorporated into a division that traveled through northern Brazil, making stops at places such as Pernambuco, Fernando de Noronha, São Luís and Belém do Pará.

The ship's instruction committee continued to be an important focus of its operations, and it soon prepared for a circumnavigation voyage under the command of captain of sea and war Custódio José de Melo.

However, after a visit from emperor Pedro II and the imperial family on 27 October 1888, Almirante Barroso departed towards its expected circumnavigation voyage.

[1] Imperial prince August Leopold was on board the vessel during the events of the fall of the Brazilian monarchy caused by the coup of 15 November 1889.

Telegrams coming from admiral Eduardo Wandenkolk, who held the position of Minister of the Navy in the provisional republican government, directed the cruiser's commander to take drastic measures.

It was necessary to replace the imperial insignia on the flags, a symbolic act that represented the end of the monarchical regime, and to induce prince Leopold to resign.

The event was full of emotion and symbolism, representing not only a separation between the prince and his traveling companions, but also the end of an era for the Brazilian monarchy.

[1] After leaving Toulon, the ship faced a setback on 20 January 1893, when a violent storm hit the Gulf of Lion, causing serious damage to the vessel.

About 30 nmi (56 km; 35 mi) south of the Ras Gharib lighthouse, in front of Zeiti Beach, in the Jubal Strait, in the early hours of 21 May 1893, at around 01:30, the ship ran aground on a coral bank, and could not be saved.

[1] According to first lieutenant Felinto Perry, who was on board, Almirante Barroso was sailing at full speed, and he was on the parade ground, organizing meteorological observations in a book.

[10] The situation became tragic, as, during efforts to rescue a crew member, assistant engineer Tancredo J. Alves lost his life, trying to save one of his colleagues.

[11] An investigation was initiated by the Navy's War Council to determine whether commander Joaquim Marques Batista de Leão was responsible, but he was also acquitted.

[12] Some 125 years later, in February 2018, a group of divers from the Sea Red Explorers claimed to have allegedly found the remains of Almirante Barroso on an underwater expedition in the Gubal Strait, approximately three nautical miles (6 km; 3 mi) north of a coastal island.

Despite the team of researchers admitting that there was still no complete proof of the origins of the wreck, the measurements, characteristics and location coincide with recorded historical data.